Telecentric 1xN optical fiber switches

Abstract

A telecentric 1×N optical switch according to the present invention switches between output fibers without the need for active alignment by utilizing a telecentric lens group translated in directions perpendicular to the axis of the input fiber. The telecentric lens group directs the input beam to the selected output fiber by translating to a location associated with the selected fiber.

1 . A telecentric 1×N optical switch for coupling an input beam from an input fiber to a selected one of N output fibers comprising: 
 a telecentric optical element; and  
 means for translating the telecentric optical element to a specific one of a group of predetermined locations to direct the beam from the input fiber to a selected output fiber associated with the specific location;  
 wherein the means for translating translates the telecentric optical element in directions perpendicular to the axis of the input fiber.  
 
     
     
         2 . The switch of  claim 1  wherein the means for translating includes a computer for controlling translation and at least one driver for inducing translation responsive to the computer.  
     
     
         3 . The switch of  claim 2  wherein the means for translating comprises a horizontal driver and a vertical driver.  
     
     
         4 . The switch of  claim 2 , wherein the computer further comprises means for determining the predetermined locations in a test configuration and means for storing the predetermined locations.  
     
     
         5 . The switch of  claim 1  wherein the telecentric optical element comprises a lens group.  
     
     
         6 . The switch of  claim 5  wherein the lens group comprises six lenses.  
     
     
         7 . The method for switching an input beam from an input fiber to a selected one of N output fibers comprising the steps of: 
 coupling the input beam to a telecentric optical element; and    translating the telecentric optical element to a specific one of a group of predetermined locations to direct the input beam from the input fiber to a selected output fiber associated with the specific location;    wherein the translating step translates the telecentric optical element in directions perpendicular to the axis of the input fiber.    
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the translating step includes the step of generating control signals and the step of inducing translation responsive to the control signals.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the translating step translates horizontally and vertically.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , further including the step of determining the predetermined locations in a test configuration and the step of storing the predetermined locations.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the step of determining further includes the steps of: 
 spoiling the focus of the optical element prior to determining the locations a first time;    unspoiling the focus of the optical element after determining the locations a first time; and    determining the locations a second time after unspoiling the focus of the optical element.    
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , further including the step of modifying some of the locations to detune some of the couplings between the input fiber and the output fibers.  
     
     
         13 . The switch of  claim 7  wherein the telecentric optical element comprises a lens group.  
     
     
         14 . A telecentric 1×N optical switch for coupling an input beam from an input fiber to a selected one of N output fibers comprising: 
 a telecentric lens group;  
 a driver element for translating the telecentric lens group to a specific one of a group of predetermined locations to direct the beam from the input fiber to a selected output fiber associated with the specific location; and  
 a computer for selecting the specific location;  
 wherein the driver element translates the telecentric lens group in directions perpendicular to the axis of the input fiber, responsive to the computer.  
 
     
     
         15 . The switch of  claim 14  wherein the driver element comprises a horizontal driver and a vertical driver.  
     
     
         16 . The switch of  claim 14 , wherein the computer further comprises means for determining the predetermined locations in a test configuration and means for storing the predetermined locations.  
     
     
         17 . The switch of  claim 14  wherein the lens group comprises six lenses.